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Take Me #1
Take Me for Granted
Grant
Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?
Until she walks into my world.
Aribel
Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.
Until he opens up my world.
But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.
Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?
Until she walks into my world.
Aribel
Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.
Until he opens up my world.
But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.
350 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2014
About the author
K.A. Linde
90 books9,679 followersK.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding Series, Wrights, and more than thirty other novels. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, son, and super-adorable puppy.
Visit her online at www.kalinde.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @authorkalinde.
Join her newsletter at www.kalinde.com/subscribe for exclusive content, free books, and giveaways every month.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, son, and super-adorable puppy.
Visit her online at www.kalinde.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @authorkalinde.
Join her newsletter at www.kalinde.com/subscribe for exclusive content, free books, and giveaways every month.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 596 reviews
April 20, 2015
Take Me for Granted had three things I absolutely love in a book.
A rockstar.
A man whore.
A heroine with a backbone.
Lets start with our rockstar/manwhore- Grant McDermott.
I’d kissed a lot of girls, and not a single one of them did I think about longer than a fleeting moment. I’d say I didn’t fuck girls twice, but I didn’t remember them long enough to know if that was true.
Grant is the lead singer of ContraBand. He’s your typical sexy lead singer, with a different girl every night. He makes no apologies. I love the assholes and Grant fit the bill perfectly. When Grant meets Aribel, he’s taken back. She is beautiful, but there are lots of beautiful girls. There is something different about her. She’s not that into him and it fascinates him.
Ari is a 19 year old college student. She’s driven, hard working and a bit of a perfectionist. She is also a virgin. She has no plans on changing that anytime soon, especially with a guy like Grant. Sure, he’s attractive, she’s not blind. But she’s not interested in a guy like him. A player.
With a guy like Grant, the chase is not a normal thing. He’s never had to chase a girl. But with Ari, he finds himself doing things he’s never done. He’s pursing her. As hard as Aribel tries to fight it, she is attracted to Grant and she starts to develop feelings for him. She doesn't’ want to, but she can’t help herself. Grant breaks down her barriers little by little.
“You’re mine?”
“I’m your girlfriend.”
“No, Ari, you’re fucking mine.”
Grant wears Aribel down. It takes time, but he does it. Grant makes some big changes. I loved watching his character evolve. Ari and Grant’s relationship is far from perfect. It is full of angst and drama and I LOVE IT! Kyla writes the best assholes and throws in angst to perfection.
This book was a real winner for me. Grant is going on my jerks that I love/book boyfriends with issues list for sure! And Aribel is a feisty and smart heroine I adored. Can’t wait to read more about these two! The sequel can’t come soon enough for me!
Ari is it. She’s the only girl I’ve ever fallen for and I’d be really worthless if I let her walk away without a fight.
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
February 14, 2016
DNF 20%
I have NOTHING nice to say about the content in this book, so I'll say nothing at all.
I have NOTHING nice to say about the content in this book, so I'll say nothing at all.
April 30, 2014
2.5 Stars
I struggled with my rating. A lot. Sure there were elements in this book that have been done before, but it still could have been great...if not for 2 pretty big things. But I'll get to that in a bit.
There's nothing I love more than a manwhoring rock star hero. Make him an asshole on top of everything and I'm a pile of quivering goo. And Grant was certainly all of those things, so I was more than a little excited to jump into this book. (Well, I was a little ragey after I found out that it's not going to be a standalone) I've recently grown an aversion of sorts to trilogies. And by aversion I mean I get bored, and tend to stop after book 1 or 2. I get tired of reading about the same couple. But there have been exceptions to the rule for me recently, so I went into this with high hopes...
Only to have them smashed to smithereens about 7% in. You're probably thinking now, damn! 7%? This bitch is picky. Well hold on just a damn minute there, Judgy McJudgison, I'll explain. The one thing that will ultimately guarantee a book to be ruined for me is when I can't stand the heroine. And Aribel? I hated her with a fiery burn of the worst type of venereal diseases. Not that I'd know what that'd feel like. But I imagine it would bother me as much as she did.
Aribel is all prim and proper and virginy (Yes it's not a word, just work with me here) Prissy is a good word to use for her. But I could have dealt with all that. She had a bit of an attitude to her, and she could be sassy, all of which I typically like.
But then here's the thing...
This is not really a spoiler since it happens so early on, 7%, but I'll still spoiler tag it for those that choose to read the book
At this point?
I couldn't believe how something as serious and horrible as this was pretty much brushed off as a joke. It's OK because hey, Grant is a manwhore and he'd normally do this anyway. SERIOUSLY?!!! Had the roles been reversed, I would imagine a whole lot more people would have their panties in a ragey twist over this. I just couldn't believe that it was written with such disregard. Maybe this wouldn't bother some people, but me personally? It ruined the entire tone of the book from here forward. I could NEVER warm up to the heroine. Everything she would say and do would drive me batty...and I mean EVERYTHING. Even the shit that wasn't annoying. Le sigh.
I kept reading in hopes that the story will suck me in enough that I'll be able to forget my loathing of Ari and what happened. And let's be honest here, I kept reading for Grant.
And interestingly enough the story did draw me in and I enjoyed it. Liked it a lot actually. The chemistry between Grant and Ari was palpable, and I loved that the author didn't throw them in bed together right away. She makes it burn. I absolutely loved Grant. I liked him so much I almost forgot how much I hated Ari.
The relationship between them progressed in a very realistic way. The author did a fantastic job in making you understand Ari's struggle to feel anything for a man that's so far from where her life's aspirations are. She struggles with what she should be and do, and the feelings that grow for Grant. Grant. *dreamy sigh*. I couldn't get enough of him. The way that he pursued Ari and ultimately made her give in. Gawd. Perfection.
But then the last 20% happened.
Here's the thing. I hate, absolutely HATE stretched outmanufactured drama that could have easily been resolved with ONE conversation. Yes, I could have understood why Ari did what she did...for all of 2.5 seconds. But to handle it the way that she did? GAH! I wanted to reach through my kindle and throttle her naive and prissy ass.
For those that want to know...
Is there a cliffy?
Will I read the next book? Maybe, though it definitely won't be at the top of my TBR
Will I read Vin's book if KA Linde ever writes one for him?
and just to clarify
Will I read another book by this author? Absolutely. I do enjoy her story telling and writing style. Unfortunately there was a situation in this book that I found pretty deplorable so I simply couldn't look past it.
**ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
I struggled with my rating. A lot. Sure there were elements in this book that have been done before, but it still could have been great...if not for 2 pretty big things. But I'll get to that in a bit.
There's nothing I love more than a manwhoring rock star hero. Make him an asshole on top of everything and I'm a pile of quivering goo. And Grant was certainly all of those things, so I was more than a little excited to jump into this book. (Well, I was a little ragey after I found out that it's not going to be a standalone) I've recently grown an aversion of sorts to trilogies. And by aversion I mean I get bored, and tend to stop after book 1 or 2. I get tired of reading about the same couple. But there have been exceptions to the rule for me recently, so I went into this with high hopes...
Only to have them smashed to smithereens about 7% in. You're probably thinking now, damn! 7%? This bitch is picky. Well hold on just a damn minute there, Judgy McJudgison, I'll explain. The one thing that will ultimately guarantee a book to be ruined for me is when I can't stand the heroine. And Aribel? I hated her with a fiery burn of the worst type of venereal diseases. Not that I'd know what that'd feel like. But I imagine it would bother me as much as she did.
Aribel is all prim and proper and virginy (Yes it's not a word, just work with me here) Prissy is a good word to use for her. But I could have dealt with all that. She had a bit of an attitude to her, and she could be sassy, all of which I typically like.
But then here's the thing...
This is not really a spoiler since it happens so early on, 7%, but I'll still spoiler tag it for those that choose to read the book
At this point?
I couldn't believe how something as serious and horrible as this was pretty much brushed off as a joke. It's OK because hey, Grant is a manwhore and he'd normally do this anyway. SERIOUSLY?!!! Had the roles been reversed, I would imagine a whole lot more people would have their panties in a ragey twist over this. I just couldn't believe that it was written with such disregard. Maybe this wouldn't bother some people, but me personally? It ruined the entire tone of the book from here forward. I could NEVER warm up to the heroine. Everything she would say and do would drive me batty...and I mean EVERYTHING. Even the shit that wasn't annoying. Le sigh.
I kept reading in hopes that the story will suck me in enough that I'll be able to forget my loathing of Ari and what happened. And let's be honest here, I kept reading for Grant.
And interestingly enough the story did draw me in and I enjoyed it. Liked it a lot actually. The chemistry between Grant and Ari was palpable, and I loved that the author didn't throw them in bed together right away. She makes it burn. I absolutely loved Grant. I liked him so much I almost forgot how much I hated Ari.
The relationship between them progressed in a very realistic way. The author did a fantastic job in making you understand Ari's struggle to feel anything for a man that's so far from where her life's aspirations are. She struggles with what she should be and do, and the feelings that grow for Grant. Grant. *dreamy sigh*. I couldn't get enough of him. The way that he pursued Ari and ultimately made her give in. Gawd. Perfection.
But then the last 20% happened.
Here's the thing. I hate, absolutely HATE stretched out
For those that want to know...
Is there a cliffy?
Will I read the next book? Maybe, though it definitely won't be at the top of my TBR
Will I read Vin's book if KA Linde ever writes one for him?
and just to clarify
Will I read another book by this author? Absolutely. I do enjoy her story telling and writing style. Unfortunately there was a situation in this book that I found pretty deplorable so I simply couldn't look past it.
**ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
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August 5, 2016DNF at 4% but it's not the author's fault at all.
I love this author, both her books and as a person. Not everything she writes I 5 star but I read them anyway because I am a fan and something about her writing is addictive. Anyways, there was nothing wrong in the wee little part I read. I already liked Aribel and I easily brushed off Grant's manwhore actions - it's nothing I haven't read before.
At 4% there is this one scene that did not sit well with me AT ALL. Partially because it hit a little too close to home and though this is fiction I can't condone those actions. What bothered me will probably be considered trivial to most, but to me Vin & Grant's actions perpetuate rape culture (and apparently, the stunt that the heroine pulled after was even worse). What kind of message does this send out to readers? Either way, IT'S NOT OKAY. Call me sensitive but I already knew that I wouldn't be able to forgive easily so I will be cutting my losses early.
On a brighter note, there are great reviews from readers who have read the entire book so don't let me stop you from trying the book out.
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. (I'm sorry I couldn't finish.)
I love this author, both her books and as a person. Not everything she writes I 5 star but I read them anyway because I am a fan and something about her writing is addictive. Anyways, there was nothing wrong in the wee little part I read. I already liked Aribel and I easily brushed off Grant's manwhore actions - it's nothing I haven't read before.
At 4% there is this one scene that did not sit well with me AT ALL. Partially because it hit a little too close to home and though this is fiction I can't condone those actions. What bothered me will probably be considered trivial to most, but to me Vin & Grant's actions perpetuate rape culture (and apparently, the stunt that the heroine pulled after was even worse). What kind of message does this send out to readers? Either way, IT'S NOT OKAY. Call me sensitive but I already knew that I wouldn't be able to forgive easily so I will be cutting my losses early.
On a brighter note, there are great reviews from readers who have read the entire book so don't let me stop you from trying the book out.
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. (I'm sorry I couldn't finish.)
August 3, 2016
3.75 Stars
Aribel is a nineteen year old chemistry major at Princeton University, who falls in love with a rock and roll man whore. She is grade oriented, blunt and although she has had boyfriends in her life, she hasn’t come across anyone that she actually cares about and is still holding onto her VCard.
Aribel gets dragged by her friends to hear the local band, ContraBand play. The front man/guitarist Grant is a proud man whore. All the girls in New Jersey have had or are vying to get a piece of this guy…
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Grant is taken by Aribel and pursues her because she’s turned him down and is different. After a fun pursuit, these two get to know each other through some great dates and fall in love. Meanwhile, ContraBand is getting noticed by several record companies.
Then a misunderstanding happens between Grant and Aribel…
Our couple breaks up and several forces that would prefer them not to be together try their darnedest to keep them apart. The story does end on a happy note and leads to at least one obstacle that may come up for Grant and Aribel in the future.
K.A. Linde delivered some seriously believable sex scenes, arguments and banter. I enjoyed K.A.’s sense of humor and thought she did a great job with the characters, Aribel especially. I know I was supposed to fall for Grant and I did like him but Aribel for me stole the show because she came across REAL!
Overall, this is a story line that has been done A LOT but I enjoyed the variations that Kyla added to the mix.
”You saved me from myself. You’re my life raft in an endless ocean.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Aribel is a nineteen year old chemistry major at Princeton University, who falls in love with a rock and roll man whore. She is grade oriented, blunt and although she has had boyfriends in her life, she hasn’t come across anyone that she actually cares about and is still holding onto her VCard.
Aribel gets dragged by her friends to hear the local band, ContraBand play. The front man/guitarist Grant is a proud man whore. All the girls in New Jersey have had or are vying to get a piece of this guy…
[image error]
Grant is taken by Aribel and pursues her because she’s turned him down and is different. After a fun pursuit, these two get to know each other through some great dates and fall in love. Meanwhile, ContraBand is getting noticed by several record companies.
Then a misunderstanding happens between Grant and Aribel…
Our couple breaks up and several forces that would prefer them not to be together try their darnedest to keep them apart. The story does end on a happy note and leads to at least one obstacle that may come up for Grant and Aribel in the future.
K.A. Linde delivered some seriously believable sex scenes, arguments and banter. I enjoyed K.A.’s sense of humor and thought she did a great job with the characters, Aribel especially. I know I was supposed to fall for Grant and I did like him but Aribel for me stole the show because she came across REAL!
Overall, this is a story line that has been done A LOT but I enjoyed the variations that Kyla added to the mix.
”You saved me from myself. You’re my life raft in an endless ocean.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
January 19, 2015
I should have just DNF'd this book when I got the chance. But somehow, my masochist self reared its ugly head screaming at me to finish this.
I don't ever say no to reading a book featuring a self-professed man-whore who falls for the mouthy good girl and I thought this book was it. UNFORTUNATELY, this book just pissed me off big time.
Aribel was one of the most unlikable heroine I've ever met. She was condescending, rude and she went through the whole book, THE WHOLE BOOK slut-shaming every girl who isn't her. She calls them groupie sluts. Even her "friends" weren't get spared by her slut-shaming and condescending ways.
And then something happened around 4% into the book which totally annoyed the crap out of me. Okay, I was more than annoyed. I was LIVID.
Safe to say, the book just went downhill from there. The last 20% didn't help matters at all. The drama was childish and so contrived. Frankly, I was rolled my eyes too damn much while reading this book, I gave myself a headache. I didn't really like anyone.
I hated Aribel. And for some inexplicable reason, Grant actually fell in love with her, which made me hate him too. Had the author focused more on redeeming these characters instead of suffocating us with a trite and predictable drama, I would have enjoyed this book. Aribel never really redeemed herself to me and Grant was just super-blah.
I hope to god the author isn't planning a book for Vince because that would just suck. Nope.
ARC is provided to Ever After Romance Book Blog in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
April 28, 2015
FREE on Amazon US today (4/28/2015)
Seriously! How could I have missed this one??? Duet complete.
BLURB:
Grant
Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?
Until she walks into my world.
Aribel
Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.
Until he opens up my world.
But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.
http://www.amazon.com/Take-Me-Granted...
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
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February 9, 2015Another multiple book series....
About the same characters....
With a possible cliffy/HFN ending....
Creating more drama and dragging it out over multiple books...
About the same characters....
With a possible cliffy/HFN ending....
Creating more drama and dragging it out over multiple books...
May 7, 2014
Title: Take me For Granted
Series: Take me #1
Author: KA Linde
Release Date: April , 2014
Rating: 2.5 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:
At first I even seemed to like it. Honestly, I did. But after first 25% the story started to get downhill. Lower, and lower and lower… And, yes it did hit it’s pathetic rock bottom and I wanted to cry out in frustration. No, just no. *shakes head*
I really don’t remember reading book so cliché and so unoriginal. Every single dramatic thing you can think of was there. The same storyline I’ve read about 1000 times before was used here.
I really think I am over reading about rock stars/demigods/manwhores that magically “change” when the “right girl” comes across. It’s unrealistic and well, I think I’ve had enough of it in this lifetime. Nothing in this book really surprised me.
And Vin and Cheyenne were the worst friends ever. Horrible people.
So no ‘real, full lenght’ review from me this time. Sorry. I’m onto my next read. Hope it’ll be fabulous, though. If you are interested, go for it. Maybe you will like it more!
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December 30, 2014
**4.5 rocking stars**
Grant is part of a local band, who smokes, drinks, has sex with a different girl [or more than one] every night.
I preferred the term manwhore. I’d earned that title, and I was fucking proud of it.
Aribel is a Princeton student, always one of the best, being raised in a wealthy family in Boston, with ambitions, as a daughter of a CEO banker and all that bass. She meets Grant after her roomates drag her to the pub and Grant hits on her. She instantly turns him down, but that only fuels his need to pursue her.
She seemed like a package deal—smart, really fucking smart, hot, and feisty. Why the hell would she want to go out with a guy like me anyway?
Grant had never pursued girls or went after them. But for some reason he needs to conquer her. So he keeps asking for a date with her. Even though Aribel is trying to keep her distance, she's also considering to give him a chance, because she manages to see more to him than his playboy/rockstar persona.
We were shockingly different yet perfectly in sync. It was a harmony, a yin and a yang.
I must admit that when I was about to start reading this book, I threw a glance around at the reviews and not all of them were encouraging. This influenced me to be honest and I thought that I wouldn't probably enjoy it that much. But thankfully while I was reading I was really enjoying it and I couldn't understand why there were negative reviews around.
It's like Fifty Shades or Beautiful Disaster or so many other books that I thoroughtly enjoyed, that people judge in a negative way. Of course every opinion is personal and not all of us can agree. But I believe that this book didn't have the best reviews because it was similar to others. It was like reading Beautiful Disaster but instead of a MMA , the MC was a rockstar.
Personally, I didn't mind. I loved it, because I had also loved Beautiful Disaster and it had been a long while since the last time I read something similar. Maybe if I had read this book right after BD , I wouldn't like it as much. But I was truly pleased with the story and the ending.
Grant is part of a local band, who smokes, drinks, has sex with a different girl [or more than one] every night.
I preferred the term manwhore. I’d earned that title, and I was fucking proud of it.
Aribel is a Princeton student, always one of the best, being raised in a wealthy family in Boston, with ambitions, as a daughter of a CEO banker and all that bass. She meets Grant after her roomates drag her to the pub and Grant hits on her. She instantly turns him down, but that only fuels his need to pursue her.
She seemed like a package deal—smart, really fucking smart, hot, and feisty. Why the hell would she want to go out with a guy like me anyway?
Grant had never pursued girls or went after them. But for some reason he needs to conquer her. So he keeps asking for a date with her. Even though Aribel is trying to keep her distance, she's also considering to give him a chance, because she manages to see more to him than his playboy/rockstar persona.
We were shockingly different yet perfectly in sync. It was a harmony, a yin and a yang.
I must admit that when I was about to start reading this book, I threw a glance around at the reviews and not all of them were encouraging. This influenced me to be honest and I thought that I wouldn't probably enjoy it that much. But thankfully while I was reading I was really enjoying it and I couldn't understand why there were negative reviews around.
It's like Fifty Shades or Beautiful Disaster or so many other books that I thoroughtly enjoyed, that people judge in a negative way. Of course every opinion is personal and not all of us can agree. But I believe that this book didn't have the best reviews because it was similar to others. It was like reading Beautiful Disaster but instead of a MMA , the MC was a rockstar.
Personally, I didn't mind. I loved it, because I had also loved Beautiful Disaster and it had been a long while since the last time I read something similar. Maybe if I had read this book right after BD , I wouldn't like it as much. But I was truly pleased with the story and the ending.
February 23, 2015
2.5
I kinda expected more... more problems that go with rockstars, angst etc... what I got was actually some sweet romance and one irritating heroine..
Maybe I expected something like Avoiding series in some way in a rock world...
Maybe I expected a heroine with not so irritating personality...
Maybe I expected more from him, as to be more like the person in teaser/prologue/blurb, a not so ... well MEH is the most fitting word...
kinda disappointed...
I kinda expected more... more problems that go with rockstars, angst etc... what I got was actually some sweet romance and one irritating heroine..
Maybe I expected something like Avoiding series in some way in a rock world...
Maybe I expected a heroine with not so irritating personality...
Maybe I expected more from him, as to be more like the person in teaser/prologue/blurb, a not so ... well MEH is the most fitting word...
kinda disappointed...
May 2, 2014
3.5 - 4 ★'s
Grant's the bad boy, manwhore, lead singer in a band and Aribel is the good girl, good student who speaks her mind. Of course, they were made for each other but things can never be that easy.
First off, let me just say that I had visions of Thoughtless running through my head the entire time I was reading this story. Grant is no Kellan that's for sure but there were way too many similarities.
Aribel...ugh, I do not like that name so I'm just going to call her Ari, which is her nickname and so much better. Anyway, she's a bit much. She's grown up entitled but she's not necessarily spoiled, she just says what she thinks and it comes across harsh most of the time.
She's been expected to grow up a certain way, do certain things and only be with certain people so when she meets Grant, she's not impressed...not really. But there is something there. It doesn't help that her friends and roommates think Grant walks on water and literally push her into his arms.
Grant likes his music, his drugs and alcohol and his women. Well, he doesn't like them, he just uses them for sex and then throws them out. He's a real jerk. Ari is different though...there's just something about her that he can't stay away from.
Okay, so let's address the elephant in the room...yes, there's an event in the beginning that's pretty alarming. The problem is that it's pretty much glossed over and made out to be not a big deal. I do think it could've been handled a bit better and unfortunately, it does start you off with a sour taste in your mouth. (I don't think I can ever like Vin!)
And then you have the problem of insta-love and her being a virgin. Ugh! The good news is that things do progress slowly. There's lots of romantic dates which I really enjoyed and later on, some steamy scenes.
Naturally, there's some drama. I was disappointed in Grant's behavior at this point. He seemed to be noticing "things" too much and it didn't really make sense. There's the predictable blow up and the even more predictable working things out.
Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy the story. I just felt it could've been so much more. The ending was a bit of a WTH? Not a cliffhanger but something that could leave you wanting more. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
Favorite quotes:
♥ "You’re my life raft in an endless ocean. You saved me from drowning. You saved me from myself.”
Grant's the bad boy, manwhore, lead singer in a band and Aribel is the good girl, good student who speaks her mind. Of course, they were made for each other but things can never be that easy.
First off, let me just say that I had visions of Thoughtless running through my head the entire time I was reading this story. Grant is no Kellan that's for sure but there were way too many similarities.
Aribel...ugh, I do not like that name so I'm just going to call her Ari, which is her nickname and so much better. Anyway, she's a bit much. She's grown up entitled but she's not necessarily spoiled, she just says what she thinks and it comes across harsh most of the time.
She's been expected to grow up a certain way, do certain things and only be with certain people so when she meets Grant, she's not impressed...not really. But there is something there. It doesn't help that her friends and roommates think Grant walks on water and literally push her into his arms.
Grant likes his music, his drugs and alcohol and his women. Well, he doesn't like them, he just uses them for sex and then throws them out. He's a real jerk. Ari is different though...there's just something about her that he can't stay away from.
Okay, so let's address the elephant in the room...yes, there's an event in the beginning that's pretty alarming. The problem is that it's pretty much glossed over and made out to be not a big deal. I do think it could've been handled a bit better and unfortunately, it does start you off with a sour taste in your mouth. (I don't think I can ever like Vin!)
And then you have the problem of insta-love and her being a virgin. Ugh! The good news is that things do progress slowly. There's lots of romantic dates which I really enjoyed and later on, some steamy scenes.
Naturally, there's some drama. I was disappointed in Grant's behavior at this point. He seemed to be noticing "things" too much and it didn't really make sense. There's the predictable blow up and the even more predictable working things out.
Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy the story. I just felt it could've been so much more. The ending was a bit of a WTH? Not a cliffhanger but something that could leave you wanting more. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
Favorite quotes:
♥ "You’re my life raft in an endless ocean. You saved me from drowning. You saved me from myself.”
December 28, 2015
3.5 stars
Nineteen year old Aribel Graham majors in chemistry at Princeton University. She’s smart, feisty, and a perfectionists with a no nonsense attitude. She grew up rich and strives hard to meet her parent’s high society standards. The guys she has dated in the past have never worked out. They’ve never held her attention or attraction. So, she’s never been in love and is still holding onto her virginity, hoping to meet the right person one day. Due to her busy schedule in school, she doesn’t make time for a social life, despite living with two very outgoing, socially involved girls, who relentlessly try to get Aribel to go out with them. They succeeded one night and took her to a ContraBand show, where Aribel meets the lead singer/lead guitar player of the band, Grant. For the first time in her life, she finds herself undeniably attracted to someone.
”You saved me from myself. You’re my life raft in an endless ocean.”
Grant McDermott is a manwhore. He’s unapologetic. He’s cocky. And he’s gorgeous. He lives his life the way he wants to. But his life hasn’t been easy. He has skeletons in his closet that have greatly affected his life, turning him into the bad boy rockstar, who carries around tons of emotional baggage, refusing to create emotional ties to any one woman, until meets the beautiful and mouthy Aribel. Meeting her turned his life inside out. And for the first time in Grant’s life, he was doing the chasing, when he’s used to girls dropping their panties for him at any time. Grant is charming and sexy and is a bad ass guitar player… What girl wouldn’t want him? But Aribel proved to be a challenge for him.
As the story continues, Grant and Aribel start to get to know one another. What starts out as a few dates turns into a sweet and fun relationship. Grant starts to develop feelings for Aribel that goes beyond just wanting to have sex with her. He starts to truly care for her, respect her, love her. And Aribel has finally met someone that consumes her thoughts and feelings, making her toes curl when he kisses her. He may be the most unlikely person she thought she could fall for, but the fierce chemistry between, draws her to him emotionally and physically. As they grow closer, feelings start to develop, and things become serious between them.
Meanwhile, ContraBand is being noticed by several record labels, which is a good thing for the band, but causes problems with our couple. A lot happens between them as they struggle with their new relationship; jealousy, insecurities, outside manipulation, frustration, anger, misunderstandings, sadness, and distance. All of these things cause quite a bit of drama and angst.
These two are polar opposites, coming from two different worlds, growing up in two very different ways, but together, they are perfectly matched. Grant made Aribel her feel alive and happy, helped her free herself from a controlled life she’s created for her parents. In turn, Aribel gave Grant her trust and friendship. She helped him liberate himself from the secrets that weigh him down. They made each other better people. I really enjoyed watching as both these characters let down their guard and let each other in. But they still have a long road to get their happy ending.
When I first started reading this story, I felt like some parts of this were written too young for me, especially when the guys in the band would discuss women. It was a bit immature. And, while that is my main complaint, there isn’t truly anything wrong with this story, like I said I enjoyed it, but this storyline where the bad boy rockstar falls in love with the good girl virgin has been done one too many times. It was nothing special that stood out and made me want to rave about it.
Take me Granted didn’t exactly blow me away, but it's a good book. Is there a cliffhanger? Yes. But not one that will leave you feeling pheening for the next book, yet my curiosity has been piqued enough to see where this story is going.
September 1, 2014
*´¨)
¸.· ´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸¸.·1 Stars
This book is a big, fat
Top 3 things that are wrong with this book:
►The writing:
I read K.A. Linde's other books (Avoiding Commitment..) and at times I felt like this could not be from the same author.
What thefuck hell happened????
The word 'fuck' appeared more than 500 times and it felt like it was in every sentence. Don't get me, I don't have a problem with this word, but do we seriously have to read it in every other sentence??
► The infamous scene at 4%
(So what happened is not really a spoiler, so I don't see why I should mark it as one.)
1) Grant's friend spikes Ari's drink because she refused to give him a blow job.
2) Grant's reaction: "Blahblah.. fuck, not your style. Blahblah.. go away, I will have her tonight. Choose sb else."
3) Ari refuses to go with him and she gives him her spiked drink.
4) The next morning Grant wakes up and can't remember what happened the night before. His thought of train goes something like this: "What a fucking great girl! She drugged me and that's so great!!"
Are you kidding me?? NO, things like this are not good. NOT AT ALL! And the best part is that Grant's friend (what ever his name was) does not have to face any consequences and everyone is happy-happy with the would-be rapist.
► Characters.
Grant is an ass. Period. No redeeming qualities, no soft side just his assholiness.
Ari is not much better. I would describe her as a rude bitch.
Every other girl in this book is a slut, whore etc. [Pls, pls stop the slut-shaming!!!]
Maybe it's because I don't like any of the characters that this book was a disaster for me. Yeah, and maybe people want to be drugged so that they will be able to find their significant other and because it's just sooooo romantic and hot. <3
[heavy sarcasm]
¸.· ´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸¸.·1 Stars
This book is a big, fat
Top 3 things that are wrong with this book:
►The writing:
I read K.A. Linde's other books (Avoiding Commitment..) and at times I felt like this could not be from the same author.
What the
The word 'fuck' appeared more than 500 times and it felt like it was in every sentence. Don't get me, I don't have a problem with this word, but do we seriously have to read it in every other sentence??
► The infamous scene at 4%
(So what happened is not really a spoiler, so I don't see why I should mark it as one.)
1) Grant's friend spikes Ari's drink because she refused to give him a blow job.
2) Grant's reaction: "Blahblah.. fuck, not your style. Blahblah.. go away, I will have her tonight. Choose sb else."
3) Ari refuses to go with him and she gives him her spiked drink.
4) The next morning Grant wakes up and can't remember what happened the night before. His thought of train goes something like this: "What a fucking great girl! She drugged me and that's so great!!"
Are you kidding me?? NO, things like this are not good. NOT AT ALL! And the best part is that Grant's friend (what ever his name was) does not have to face any consequences and everyone is happy-happy with the would-be rapist.
► Characters.
Grant is an ass. Period. No redeeming qualities, no soft side just his assholiness.
Ari is not much better. I would describe her as a rude bitch.
Every other girl in this book is a slut, whore etc. [Pls, pls stop the slut-shaming!!!]
Maybe it's because I don't like any of the characters that this book was a disaster for me. Yeah, and maybe people want to be drugged so that they will be able to find their significant other and because it's just sooooo romantic and hot. <3
[heavy sarcasm]
May 12, 2014
4.5 Stars
(ARC Provided By Author)
I was so very excited when I got a PM from Kyla, telling me that I had won an ARC of "Take Me For Granted".
After having just finished a really depressing book, I needed something that would get me out of my book slump.
This book delivered!!
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really enjoyed it.
I devoured this book in a day.
No falling asleep for me this time!! LOL
Aribel Graham is a sophomore at Princeton.
She's very dedicated to her studies and doesn't have time for frivolous relationships, nor does she ever really open herself up to anyone.
Grant McDermott is the lead singer of Contraband.
They are pretty popular in the Princeton, NJ area.
He's your typical bad boy rocker, who likes to drink himself into oblivion and take a different groupie to his bed every night.
He's never wanted to be in a relationship.
Aribel and Grant get off on the wrong foot during their first meeting, but it's obvious there is an attraction between the two of them.
She's not easily charmed by Grant, and this has him so intrigued and eventually it also is what has him falling for her.
"Every time I see you, Princess, I feel better. Every single day, you push away the pain and the memories. You're my life raft in an endless ocean. You saved me from drowning. You saved me from myself."
Aribel had some strong will power because she held on to her V Card for almost half of the book.
I swear if I were her, my panties would have dropped the second I was alone with Grant!!!
She really fought hard against her attraction to him, but of course there wouldn't be a story if she didn't finally give in to her feelings.
In turn, I'd let him fucking own me in every way that I ever found important. My body was just a vessel, but my mind, my soul...he'd taken over those, and frankly, I didn't want them back.
There is quite a bit of angst in this story.
Of course there is!!
Kyla is the QUEEN OF ANGST!!
But I love it!
I love to have my heart twisted in knots.
There will be a lot of misunderstandings and nasty people lying to keep the two apart.
The book doesn't really end on a big cliffy, but I'm wondering how the revelation at the end will pan out.
I kind of was like "WTF" at the ending.
BUT, I really did enjoy this story!!
(ARC Provided By Author)
I was so very excited when I got a PM from Kyla, telling me that I had won an ARC of "Take Me For Granted".
After having just finished a really depressing book, I needed something that would get me out of my book slump.
This book delivered!!
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really enjoyed it.
I devoured this book in a day.
No falling asleep for me this time!! LOL
Aribel Graham is a sophomore at Princeton.
She's very dedicated to her studies and doesn't have time for frivolous relationships, nor does she ever really open herself up to anyone.
Grant McDermott is the lead singer of Contraband.
They are pretty popular in the Princeton, NJ area.
He's your typical bad boy rocker, who likes to drink himself into oblivion and take a different groupie to his bed every night.
He's never wanted to be in a relationship.
Aribel and Grant get off on the wrong foot during their first meeting, but it's obvious there is an attraction between the two of them.
She's not easily charmed by Grant, and this has him so intrigued and eventually it also is what has him falling for her.
"Every time I see you, Princess, I feel better. Every single day, you push away the pain and the memories. You're my life raft in an endless ocean. You saved me from drowning. You saved me from myself."
Aribel had some strong will power because she held on to her V Card for almost half of the book.
I swear if I were her, my panties would have dropped the second I was alone with Grant!!!
She really fought hard against her attraction to him, but of course there wouldn't be a story if she didn't finally give in to her feelings.
In turn, I'd let him fucking own me in every way that I ever found important. My body was just a vessel, but my mind, my soul...he'd taken over those, and frankly, I didn't want them back.
There is quite a bit of angst in this story.
Of course there is!!
Kyla is the QUEEN OF ANGST!!
But I love it!
I love to have my heart twisted in knots.
There will be a lot of misunderstandings and nasty people lying to keep the two apart.
The book doesn't really end on a big cliffy, but I'm wondering how the revelation at the end will pan out.
I kind of was like "WTF" at the ending.
BUT, I really did enjoy this story!!
July 23, 2014
3.5 bit undecided stars
Although I've read the manwhore pursues feisty yet naive virgin in a few stories before, the writing and the strong characters in this made it an engrossing read. The banter between the friends and the band members (he is a wannabe rock star, she's a college student) is lively so even though the plot wasn't anything I hadn't read before, it kept my interest. I also liked that there was a fairly long build up before they gave in and began bumping uglies. The smut was ok too.
After reading On the Record by this author I was kinda hoping for something that would blow me away but while this was good, it just wasn't quite in the same league as that series.
Although I've read the manwhore pursues feisty yet naive virgin in a few stories before, the writing and the strong characters in this made it an engrossing read. The banter between the friends and the band members (he is a wannabe rock star, she's a college student) is lively so even though the plot wasn't anything I hadn't read before, it kept my interest. I also liked that there was a fairly long build up before they gave in and began bumping uglies. The smut was ok too.
After reading On the Record by this author I was kinda hoping for something that would blow me away but while this was good, it just wasn't quite in the same league as that series.
July 20, 2014
4.5 man-whoring-swooning-weak-in-the-knees-stars!
Aribel is your typical good-girl college student. Focused solely on her education her roommates want to break her out of her shell and get her to lose that pesky little thing called virginity. She’s not the kind of girl that meets a boy and feels butterflies, but that is all about to change.
Grant.... Man-whore. Grant doesn’t need much; his guitar, his music, his bike, ContraBand and a woman (or two) to use for a few hours. His world is forever changed when he fails to seal the deal with a girl that catches his eye. When he wakes the next morning his memories are hazy, except for her - he knows he needs to find her.
Grant finds himself doing the unthinkable – pursuing a woman that doesn’t seem to want to give him the time of day. But if he has to chase her he’ll chase her – Ari just has to realize how badly she wants to be caught.
Getting Ari to focus on something other than just her education is going to be quite the challenge. She’s never met a guy that has forced her to lose her focus, a guy that actually causes her to emotionally react to him. But there is something about Grant that she just knows she can’t walk away from. From being memorizing on the stage to the sweet guy that just wants to sit on the beach and hold her in his arms, once she gives him her heart – there is no turning back.
K.A. Linde otherwise known as ‘The Queen of Angst’ gives us not only a swoon worthy rock star but one helluva romance. Although this story was so different than the Avoiding Series, there was that heavy dose of angst thrown in and of course a villain to loathe. Who might that be? Don’t worry, you’ll know as soon as you meet her just who I am talking about.
With so many books out there that circle around this type of plot it can be difficult to stand out among the masses. Take Me For Granted accomplishes that with ease. There is just something about the way that K.A. Linde constructs her stories that pulls you in and holds you hostage until the very last word.
It would have been easy to create a character that was just simply a serial womanizer and hot guy in a band; but Grant was so much more. A little bit broken and that feeling that he isn’t deserving of a girl like Ari, but damn if he is going to let that stand in his way. I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to resist Grant’s charm.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and getting a chance to get to know each of the guys a little more... well not necessarily Vin. He is one of those characters that is just too creepy and too much of an asshole for me to like. I have a feeling that we may be swayed at some point and if K.A. Linde can accomplish that – well she would have pulled of the impossible.
If you are already a fan of this author I think you’ll fall hard for Grant, for those who were too afraid to go through the Avoiding-Experience, this would be the perfect starting point to get a feel for her style. Some of my favorite book boyfriends were born in this woman’s mind. Jack, Brady and now Grant – I have a feeling that a few more are going to be added to that list by the time we are done with this series.
ARC provided by the author.
Aribel is your typical good-girl college student. Focused solely on her education her roommates want to break her out of her shell and get her to lose that pesky little thing called virginity. She’s not the kind of girl that meets a boy and feels butterflies, but that is all about to change.
Grant.... Man-whore. Grant doesn’t need much; his guitar, his music, his bike, ContraBand and a woman (or two) to use for a few hours. His world is forever changed when he fails to seal the deal with a girl that catches his eye. When he wakes the next morning his memories are hazy, except for her - he knows he needs to find her.
Grant finds himself doing the unthinkable – pursuing a woman that doesn’t seem to want to give him the time of day. But if he has to chase her he’ll chase her – Ari just has to realize how badly she wants to be caught.
Getting Ari to focus on something other than just her education is going to be quite the challenge. She’s never met a guy that has forced her to lose her focus, a guy that actually causes her to emotionally react to him. But there is something about Grant that she just knows she can’t walk away from. From being memorizing on the stage to the sweet guy that just wants to sit on the beach and hold her in his arms, once she gives him her heart – there is no turning back.
K.A. Linde otherwise known as ‘The Queen of Angst’ gives us not only a swoon worthy rock star but one helluva romance. Although this story was so different than the Avoiding Series, there was that heavy dose of angst thrown in and of course a villain to loathe. Who might that be? Don’t worry, you’ll know as soon as you meet her just who I am talking about.
With so many books out there that circle around this type of plot it can be difficult to stand out among the masses. Take Me For Granted accomplishes that with ease. There is just something about the way that K.A. Linde constructs her stories that pulls you in and holds you hostage until the very last word.
It would have been easy to create a character that was just simply a serial womanizer and hot guy in a band; but Grant was so much more. A little bit broken and that feeling that he isn’t deserving of a girl like Ari, but damn if he is going to let that stand in his way. I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to resist Grant’s charm.
I am looking forward to the next in this series and getting a chance to get to know each of the guys a little more... well not necessarily Vin. He is one of those characters that is just too creepy and too much of an asshole for me to like. I have a feeling that we may be swayed at some point and if K.A. Linde can accomplish that – well she would have pulled of the impossible.
If you are already a fan of this author I think you’ll fall hard for Grant, for those who were too afraid to go through the Avoiding-Experience, this would be the perfect starting point to get a feel for her style. Some of my favorite book boyfriends were born in this woman’s mind. Jack, Brady and now Grant – I have a feeling that a few more are going to be added to that list by the time we are done with this series.
ARC provided by the author.
April 27, 2014
ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review
3.5 "Princess" Stars
Nineteen year old virgin meets manwhore lead singer of Contraband. How could you not want to read this book? Right off the bat, I dove right into this story and found myself immersed in young love.
Aribel Graham is a virgin and Ivy league college student. Her sheltered life mostly consisted on her academic success. What makes Aribel really stand out is her wit and feisty attitude. Surrounded by girlfriends who are dying for her to lose the V-card status, Aribel just doesn’t seem to care until she meets Grant McDermott.
Grant McDermott classifies himself as a manwhore. Simply, Grant’s life is a revolving door of endless groupies, who are happily eager to be a notch on his bedpost. When his band, Contraband, performed at a local college bar, it was like any ordinary night, except this time his charm didn’t work for Aribel.
Grant doesn’t get rejected...he’s usually the one doing the rejection, but this blonde blue-eyed girl got under his skin. He made it his mission to get to know who this feisty sassy smart-mouth is. And so begins the angst.. I loved how Grant pursued Ari. The banter between these two had me smiling! I really enjoyed the sexual flirtations, innuendos, and the back and forth banter. Ari’s sassy attitude and smart-mouth complemented Grant’s personality.
As much as I love the feisty smart-mouth virgin and manwhore rocker concept, there was something missing in the story-line to make me really like this book. I wanted to know more Grant and Aribel. During their dates, I think I would have loved to get to know more of Ari’s past and see what made Grant so attracted to her and why he considered her different from the rest. Personally, I wanted to see that spark that as a reader make you fall in love with Ari and Grant as couple. I also felt the character, Vin was overshadowing the story-line between the main characters. I found myself more annoyed with Vin and I think his character distracted the story-line. But overall,
I enjoyed reading my first K.A. Linde book and I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens with Grant and Aribel.
K.A. Linde
Reviews on Behalf of Give Me Books
3.5 "Princess" Stars
Nineteen year old virgin meets manwhore lead singer of Contraband. How could you not want to read this book? Right off the bat, I dove right into this story and found myself immersed in young love.
Aribel Graham is a virgin and Ivy league college student. Her sheltered life mostly consisted on her academic success. What makes Aribel really stand out is her wit and feisty attitude. Surrounded by girlfriends who are dying for her to lose the V-card status, Aribel just doesn’t seem to care until she meets Grant McDermott.
Grant McDermott classifies himself as a manwhore. Simply, Grant’s life is a revolving door of endless groupies, who are happily eager to be a notch on his bedpost. When his band, Contraband, performed at a local college bar, it was like any ordinary night, except this time his charm didn’t work for Aribel.
Grant doesn’t get rejected...he’s usually the one doing the rejection, but this blonde blue-eyed girl got under his skin. He made it his mission to get to know who this feisty sassy smart-mouth is. And so begins the angst.. I loved how Grant pursued Ari. The banter between these two had me smiling! I really enjoyed the sexual flirtations, innuendos, and the back and forth banter. Ari’s sassy attitude and smart-mouth complemented Grant’s personality.
As much as I love the feisty smart-mouth virgin and manwhore rocker concept, there was something missing in the story-line to make me really like this book. I wanted to know more Grant and Aribel. During their dates, I think I would have loved to get to know more of Ari’s past and see what made Grant so attracted to her and why he considered her different from the rest. Personally, I wanted to see that spark that as a reader make you fall in love with Ari and Grant as couple. I also felt the character, Vin was overshadowing the story-line between the main characters. I found myself more annoyed with Vin and I think his character distracted the story-line. But overall,
I enjoyed reading my first K.A. Linde book and I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens with Grant and Aribel.
K.A. Linde
Reviews on Behalf of Give Me Books
May 15, 2016
Typically I don't feel the need to explain a rating. In the case of this read, I wanted to be clear with a comment..."It's me, not you."
I read this story as part of the "Untied" anthology. As a woman-of-a-certain-age, YA and NA romances are not my first choice. This is the first time I read KAL (finding new authors is why I like anthologies!) This story centers around young adults (the heroine is only 19). My son was drumming for his band (and even younger than Grant)...so reading about musician shenanigans...well...I'm not a prude...it's just that I have seen groupies at play *shiver*...just all too real for me. Stories for another day!
Anywho, the writing was good, reasonable plot and banter btwn the characters. I was engaged in the story even if, for me, it was hard to get into (most likely for those old Mom vibes ha ha ha). I rate this at 3.5 solid stars. I will read book 2, the conclusion, to see if Ari and Grant get their HEA.
I read this story as part of the "Untied" anthology. As a woman-of-a-certain-age, YA and NA romances are not my first choice. This is the first time I read KAL (finding new authors is why I like anthologies!) This story centers around young adults (the heroine is only 19). My son was drumming for his band (and even younger than Grant)...so reading about musician shenanigans...well...I'm not a prude...it's just that I have seen groupies at play *shiver*...just all too real for me. Stories for another day!
Anywho, the writing was good, reasonable plot and banter btwn the characters. I was engaged in the story even if, for me, it was hard to get into (most likely for those old Mom vibes ha ha ha). I rate this at 3.5 solid stars. I will read book 2, the conclusion, to see if Ari and Grant get their HEA.
Want to read
April 27, 2015FREEBIE
http://amzn.to/1Jw2n65
http://amzn.to/1Jw2n65
May 2, 2015
Title: Take Me for Granted (Take me #1)
Series: Yes
Author: K.A. Linde
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Rating: 2 stars
POV: Dual
HEA:
And for those of you that need the following answered prior to starting a book:
Any Hard Limits?
Cliffhanger: . Sort of.
Intolerable Heroine .No.
Über Douchebagery .A bit.
Taboo Subject Matter .No.
Cheating:
Love Triangle
I was really excited about this book because I'm a huge fan of the Avoiding series and think Linde can do no wrong. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed.
Lets start off with the huge WTF moment that happens at 4% in the book. I'm not even going to bother with a spoiler alert because it happens within the first few pages of the story so it's not a big deal.The hero's best friend apparently hits on the heroine and when she dismisses him he proceeds to drop a date-rape drug into her drink. He think follows up by running to the hero and telling him
""Sorry to cockblock, but I totally just drugged some chick." UMM I'M SORRY whatttttt?????
Apparently to save the hero from looking like a douche the author has him seem shocked and disgusted by his friends actions... BUT PROCEEDS TO DO NOTHING. Actually, NO. He proceeds to go find the heroine so he can see if she dismissed his friend because she probably has a boyfriend.
Hero (Grant) proceeds to hit on the heroine (Aribel) and she dismisses him as well. Aribel knows the drink has been spiked and decides to get this guy off her case to swap their beers. Grant then wakes up the next morning in bed with some random girl not having any recollection as to how he ended up there.
Okay. There is where a lot of reviewers seem to end up hating the heroine. Quite frankly I think the hero deserved it.
1. He just found out his friend has tried to date rape a girl and he fucking does NOTHING! Instead of going to the girl and telling her not to drink the beer or doing something to his friend he starts hitting on her and trying to take her home? What if she was under the influence of the drugs when you took her home? Are you kidding me?
2. If he's not going to protect this girl by telling her or at least doing something to ensure his friend never does this again then quite frankly he's just as guilty as his friend. Therefore, to me he deserved what happened to him because he did nothing to stop it.
Now I LOVEEED the heroine in this book. I am so sick of reading about a poor,innocent, shy little mousey virgin that meets the bad boy manwhore. While this book was filled with romance tropes I think Aribel saved this book.
From the moment you meet her you're like
I disagree with other reviews about her being bitchy or stuck up. Quite frankly I think Grant deserved every bit of bitchiness she served his way. It took me a long time to like Grant and even then it was with mixed feelings.I felt like he was constantly trying to pressure her into sleeping with him even though he knew she would say no.
In general I felt like the story was exactly like any other rock star man whore with a troubled past meets sweet virgin heroine storyline. I expected more from Linde and I was thoroughly disappointed. Not to mention the fact that the huge WTF moment at 4% is NEVER ADDRESSED EVER AGAIN. The heroine even tells her roommate about what the guy did but the roommate continues to hook up with him. It's like this huge HUGE fucking thing is never addressed and just swept under the rug as a funny joke. No Linde, that is NOT a fucking joke. If you end up writing a book from Vin's perspective I'll never read it and I'd be disgusted by the fact that you'd ever want to make him seem anything less than the shit under my shoe. I really hope the next book in the series addresses what he did.
Did I like the hero? Meh he was okay
Did the heroine save the book for me? Absolutely
Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe just to see what happens since a lot was left unsettled
April 24, 2014
I was so fortunate to beta read this story and I couldn't have been more surprised or more honored that the author asked me to read it. K.A. Linde made a huge fan out of me with her Avoiding series. That series was all consuming and I didn't think I could fall more in love with a broken flawed jerk than I did in those books.
Wrong.
Move over, Jack Howard. Kyla Linde has outdone herself and you've been replaced. Grant McDermott has stolen my heart.
Seriously though, I'm pretty sure this book was custom made for me. How the author managed to choose all of my very favorite facets and fit them all into one perfect story, I do not know. But she did. And here it is.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
The rocker. Grant is an asshole. He's a self-proclaimed man whore, front man in an up and coming band. Um, hi... I love jerks. The bigger the douchebag the better. And Grant does not disappoint. Score!
The virgin. Aribel (love that name!) is the straight edge, docile virgin, too focused on her education to really enjoy life. This character might seem overdone, but I don't care. The unsuspecting virgin who grabs the unwanted attention of the hot rocker everyone wants remains my favorite. Score!
The angst. I love love love angst. I need it. I crave that painful heart twinge I get when a story has literally broken my heart. It's a physical reaction that I count on to know that an author succeeded in delivering the pain. I felt it. I lost track of how many times I felt it. I've said it before and I'll say it again... I am a reader that begs my characters to destroy each other. I want them to hurt because when they hurt, I hurt. I love the pain just as much, arguably more, than I love the joy. And these characters did that for me. Score!
The story. I love that behind the cliche story (which I call it cliche with only the highest respect, as it's my favorite kind of story!) is depth. I get my sexy jerk of a rocker, plus my sweet unassuming virgin with all the heat and steam and angst a girl could want, but there's an original under current that I've never seen before. These characters are set apart from others like them. They're original and well developed and they demand that you love them and their story and their turmoil and their flaws. And I do. I so so do.
The writing and the dialogue is what captured me in this book. First person narrative is my very favorite. I love getting right inside the mind of characters and seeing and feeling their journey the entire way. But a dual pov story, getting inside the hearts and minds of BOTH characters?! I'm in heaven. This story was a first for the author as well, having never written from a male perspective before, and having always written in the 3rd person. She nailed it!! This was such a pleasant surprise for me...getting all the magic that K.A. Linde is known for delivering, but getting it in the gift wrap I prefer and adore so much. This story cements the fact that this author can break away from her own norm and still give her readers everything they yearn for and then some. Don't take this author for granted, because you think you know what she's capable of, but you really have no idea.
Wrong.
Move over, Jack Howard. Kyla Linde has outdone herself and you've been replaced. Grant McDermott has stolen my heart.
Seriously though, I'm pretty sure this book was custom made for me. How the author managed to choose all of my very favorite facets and fit them all into one perfect story, I do not know. But she did. And here it is.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
The rocker. Grant is an asshole. He's a self-proclaimed man whore, front man in an up and coming band. Um, hi... I love jerks. The bigger the douchebag the better. And Grant does not disappoint. Score!
The virgin. Aribel (love that name!) is the straight edge, docile virgin, too focused on her education to really enjoy life. This character might seem overdone, but I don't care. The unsuspecting virgin who grabs the unwanted attention of the hot rocker everyone wants remains my favorite. Score!
The angst. I love love love angst. I need it. I crave that painful heart twinge I get when a story has literally broken my heart. It's a physical reaction that I count on to know that an author succeeded in delivering the pain. I felt it. I lost track of how many times I felt it. I've said it before and I'll say it again... I am a reader that begs my characters to destroy each other. I want them to hurt because when they hurt, I hurt. I love the pain just as much, arguably more, than I love the joy. And these characters did that for me. Score!
The story. I love that behind the cliche story (which I call it cliche with only the highest respect, as it's my favorite kind of story!) is depth. I get my sexy jerk of a rocker, plus my sweet unassuming virgin with all the heat and steam and angst a girl could want, but there's an original under current that I've never seen before. These characters are set apart from others like them. They're original and well developed and they demand that you love them and their story and their turmoil and their flaws. And I do. I so so do.
The writing and the dialogue is what captured me in this book. First person narrative is my very favorite. I love getting right inside the mind of characters and seeing and feeling their journey the entire way. But a dual pov story, getting inside the hearts and minds of BOTH characters?! I'm in heaven. This story was a first for the author as well, having never written from a male perspective before, and having always written in the 3rd person. She nailed it!! This was such a pleasant surprise for me...getting all the magic that K.A. Linde is known for delivering, but getting it in the gift wrap I prefer and adore so much. This story cements the fact that this author can break away from her own norm and still give her readers everything they yearn for and then some. Don't take this author for granted, because you think you know what she's capable of, but you really have no idea.
April 19, 2014
Virgin heroine usually = I hate this book (LOL!!), this was not the case. Aribel was feisty, smart and ran the show. I loved her no nonsense attitude. Then there was the manwhore Grant. *SWOON* Rough around the edges but a heart of gold. A fun, angsty, well written NA with some great dialogue, the banter was hilarious. I'm eager for book 2.
Read
January 16, 2015good book
May 1, 2014
I'm giving this book 4 stars. Which is actually pretty crazy, because I think I have rated all of K.A books 5 stars, but this book frustrated me, not the story or the writing, but my connect with the story took me a little longer than normal.
I thought Ari was a good girl, but she was kind of a priss. Which isn't a bad thing, she knows what she wants, she wants to do well in school and she does, but she needed to let go. I know that her family was part of the reason she felt that way, but we didn't really hear much about them, other than what she felt they wanted for her out of her life.
Grant is totally a manwhore, and he doesn't mind being called that. He screws a girl and doesn't really remember a thing about her the next day. When he meets Ari, she grabs his interest and the first part of the book his him screwing around and then he meets Aribel and needs to get to know her.
It felt okay, but it didn't grab my attention. I was skipping around here and there which I don't do with this author's books often. I knew it was going to be part of a series, so I knew part of me wanted to stay slightly detached because I dislike waiting for series books, but I had pre-ordered this book when a reviewer who was reading the book while she wrote it had mentioned it was a standalone.
I started liking the book more towards the middle/end when the cat and mouse came was pretty much over and the angst that I love with KA's books really kicked in she is a master and ripping up hearts. The way that Grant told Ari what he had been through, knowing that she was really the only person he had ever told was just amazing, and it made me feel bad for him, I had no reason to feel like he was anything but a jerk before, that really made me feel for him. He needed her to know and he needed her to understand I thought it was sweet he let her in
So the drama towards the end, I loved because like I said I am a sucker for the angst, and I will be reading the second book, but I really hope that it feels more lively this one was good, just a little flat when I consider the other books this author has written.
I thought Ari was a good girl, but she was kind of a priss. Which isn't a bad thing, she knows what she wants, she wants to do well in school and she does, but she needed to let go. I know that her family was part of the reason she felt that way, but we didn't really hear much about them, other than what she felt they wanted for her out of her life.
Grant is totally a manwhore, and he doesn't mind being called that. He screws a girl and doesn't really remember a thing about her the next day. When he meets Ari, she grabs his interest and the first part of the book his him screwing around and then he meets Aribel and needs to get to know her.
It felt okay, but it didn't grab my attention. I was skipping around here and there which I don't do with this author's books often. I knew it was going to be part of a series, so I knew part of me wanted to stay slightly detached because I dislike waiting for series books, but I had pre-ordered this book when a reviewer who was reading the book while she wrote it had mentioned it was a standalone.
I started liking the book more towards the middle/end when the cat and mouse came was pretty much over and the angst that I love with KA's books really kicked in she is a master and ripping up hearts. The way that Grant told Ari what he had been through, knowing that she was really the only person he had ever told was just amazing, and it made me feel bad for him, I had no reason to feel like he was anything but a jerk before, that really made me feel for him. He needed her to know and he needed her to understand I thought it was sweet he let her in
So the drama towards the end, I loved because like I said I am a sucker for the angst, and I will be reading the second book, but I really hope that it feels more lively this one was good, just a little flat when I consider the other books this author has written.
May 18, 2015
Title: Take Me for Granted
Series: Take Me, #1
Author: K.A Linde
Source: Purchased eBook from Amazon
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 350
Age Group: New Adult
Characters: Grant, Aribel
Point of View: First - Dual
Happily Ever After:
Release Date: April 29th, 2014
Date Read: May 7th, 2015
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
I'd managed to find that there was more to Grant McDermott... and that had been my downfall.
I'm surprised that I liked this novel as much as I did. I've been more into thrillers lately but it's always great to go back to the typical new adult genre. Even though this plotline has been told many times in a million different ways K.A. Linde just put a different spin on it with her brainiac virgin heroine who isn't chasing the hero.
The fact that there is no-insta love but more of a hate-love relationship is a bonus. I loved it. I hated the secondary characters! I hated how they kept forcing Aribel into losing her virginity and also Vin, ugh my good I just wanted to punch him in the face.
I also feel that the book was a little bit slow and nothing major really happened until like maybe 75% percent into this book. That the major reason why I gave it four stars out of five. I kinda felt this book game a slow run around. But it was worth the read and also I regret buying this so late but come on it was free and no one can past a free book up.
Series: Take Me, #1
Author: K.A Linde
Source: Purchased eBook from Amazon
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 350
Age Group: New Adult
Characters: Grant, Aribel
Point of View: First - Dual
Happily Ever After:
Release Date: April 29th, 2014
Date Read: May 7th, 2015
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
I'd managed to find that there was more to Grant McDermott... and that had been my downfall.I'm surprised that I liked this novel as much as I did. I've been more into thrillers lately but it's always great to go back to the typical new adult genre. Even though this plotline has been told many times in a million different ways K.A. Linde just put a different spin on it with her brainiac virgin heroine who isn't chasing the hero.
The fact that there is no-insta love but more of a hate-love relationship is a bonus. I loved it. I hated the secondary characters! I hated how they kept forcing Aribel into losing her virginity and also Vin, ugh my good I just wanted to punch him in the face.
I also feel that the book was a little bit slow and nothing major really happened until like maybe 75% percent into this book. That the major reason why I gave it four stars out of five. I kinda felt this book game a slow run around. But it was worth the read and also I regret buying this so late but come on it was free and no one can past a free book up.
Want to read
January 19, 2014Hmm...do I love my man whores?
Am I excited to read this book?
I just have the uncontrollably urge to...
Am I excited to read this book?
I just have the uncontrollably urge to...
January 12, 2016
Rating: 3.5/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
December 7, 2017
I listened to the audio version of this book and always enjoy the fact that emotions and intonation add so much more to the story.
This was a classic bad boy tamed by the good girl tale. I love it when a guy with 'whorish' ways is brought to his knees by a girl.
Aribela was definitely not interested in getting to know Grant in any way, shape or form but there was just something about her that he could not resist and eventually his persistence pursuing her pays off.
Grant is everything that her parents warned her about when it comes to men, he does not move in the sort of circles that her family does and his music career is not one she expected her future life partner to have. Being with him comes with huge risks and having her heart broken is at the top of the list. Then there are the trust issues with groupies.
These two really do have to battle their way through all of these issues and learnt to trust and have faith in their love for each other.
This does not end on a cliff hanger but there is more to their story in a second book.
This was a classic bad boy tamed by the good girl tale. I love it when a guy with 'whorish' ways is brought to his knees by a girl.
Aribela was definitely not interested in getting to know Grant in any way, shape or form but there was just something about her that he could not resist and eventually his persistence pursuing her pays off.
Grant is everything that her parents warned her about when it comes to men, he does not move in the sort of circles that her family does and his music career is not one she expected her future life partner to have. Being with him comes with huge risks and having her heart broken is at the top of the list. Then there are the trust issues with groupies.
These two really do have to battle their way through all of these issues and learnt to trust and have faith in their love for each other.
This does not end on a cliff hanger but there is more to their story in a second book.
February 18, 2016
Take Me for Granted is a rock star story that rocked my world! Though I've been hoarding K.A. Linde's Avoiding series on my Kindle for a while now along with 100s of others, this is the first book by this author that I read and WOW! Take Me for Granted made my heart pump with a mix of emotions...happiness, frustration, anger, laughter, and sadness.
I have a sweet spot for rock stars. Brown-haired and sapphire-eyed hot hunk of an alpha rocker, Grant McDermott, with that perfect 'V' that ladies love won my heart. Grant, the lead singer of ContraBand, is pure tattooed-covered man candy who has groupie girls throwing themselves at his feet and into his bed. He lives life by the moment with that 'I don't give a crap attitude.'
"I preferred the term manwhore. I'd earned that title, and I was [fricking] proud of it."
Aribel Madison Graham is blonde with deep blue eyes...beautiful and classy with a smart mouth that shocks men and women alike. She is a cardigan-wearing book worm, a Princeton girl, from a wealthy family who is destined to marry a CEO and stay blue-blood. Despite having a few boyfriends, she has not found one she likes better than her college courses and no one to pop her cherry. She is a planner, while Grant is a 'grab life by its balls' kind of guy.
"The day a guy held my interest longer than my chem lab, I'd probably marry him and have the requisite two-and-a-half children, like my parents."
Out with her friends at a bar one night where Grant's band was playing, Aribel wants nothing to do with the hot womanizer who is walking sex on legs. But, despite how cocky Grant is, Aribel can't deny her attraction to him even when she turns him down immediately and mocks his pickup lines...something that just does not happen to Grant McDermott.
"There was an openness, a vulnerability, in his expression as he dropped some of the playboy look that I was sure he didn't actually want people to see. It kind of took my breath away."
Grant cannot get Aribel out of his head. He's never pursued a girl; they always came quite willingly to him. But Aribel is different. She is strong, witty, natural, beautiful and speaks her mind...and Grant can't let her go. He knows she feels the same attraction, though she's fighting it and him every step of the way.
"The hiccup in her breathing was the only thing that gave her away her racing heart. Her eyes were fiery as if my words only fueled her, and saying no was her challenge as much as getting her to say yes was mine."
So Grant pursues her relentlessly, even uncharacteristically stalking Aribel at school, until she's had enough, throws caution to the wind, and finally listens to her traitorous body affected by Grant since their first meeting in the bar.
"He grabbed my around the waist, yanked me outside, and dropped his mouth down onto mine hungrily. I lost myself in his lips. His hands ducked under my sweater, and his fingers dug into my soft flesh beneath. And without even realizing it, I was grasping his T-shirt for dear life and feeling the cold medal of his dog tags in my hands. Holy shit! I'd never been kissed like this before. My whole body was on fire, and his lips were just fueling the flame."
Aribel wants Grant but is conflicted because she can't get past how different he is and not the clean-cut CEO type she envisioned. She needs to ditch her plan, and go with her heart and what feels right.
'I'd known that I was falling for him. But I'd thought one date would prove everything I'd thought he was--an arrogant, conceited, manipulative, asshole, playboy rocker who cared for nothing but which bed he was landing in. While that image hasn't wavered because he was absolutely one of those things, I'd managed to find that there was more to Grant McDermott...and that had been my downfall."
Grant has never cared...until now...and both he and Aribel are scared of what's happening between them.
"I've never dated. I've just never cared. Never, babe," I said, running a hand back through my hair. "But I [fricking] care about you."
Self doubt, a pesky past, and more threaten Grant and Aribel's newly found happiness bubble. They need a life raft to keep their relationship afloat.
5 soul-wrenching and sexy stars!!!
I have a sweet spot for rock stars. Brown-haired and sapphire-eyed hot hunk of an alpha rocker, Grant McDermott, with that perfect 'V' that ladies love won my heart. Grant, the lead singer of ContraBand, is pure tattooed-covered man candy who has groupie girls throwing themselves at his feet and into his bed. He lives life by the moment with that 'I don't give a crap attitude.'
"I preferred the term manwhore. I'd earned that title, and I was [fricking] proud of it."
Aribel Madison Graham is blonde with deep blue eyes...beautiful and classy with a smart mouth that shocks men and women alike. She is a cardigan-wearing book worm, a Princeton girl, from a wealthy family who is destined to marry a CEO and stay blue-blood. Despite having a few boyfriends, she has not found one she likes better than her college courses and no one to pop her cherry. She is a planner, while Grant is a 'grab life by its balls' kind of guy.
"The day a guy held my interest longer than my chem lab, I'd probably marry him and have the requisite two-and-a-half children, like my parents."
Out with her friends at a bar one night where Grant's band was playing, Aribel wants nothing to do with the hot womanizer who is walking sex on legs. But, despite how cocky Grant is, Aribel can't deny her attraction to him even when she turns him down immediately and mocks his pickup lines...something that just does not happen to Grant McDermott.
"There was an openness, a vulnerability, in his expression as he dropped some of the playboy look that I was sure he didn't actually want people to see. It kind of took my breath away."
Grant cannot get Aribel out of his head. He's never pursued a girl; they always came quite willingly to him. But Aribel is different. She is strong, witty, natural, beautiful and speaks her mind...and Grant can't let her go. He knows she feels the same attraction, though she's fighting it and him every step of the way.
"The hiccup in her breathing was the only thing that gave her away her racing heart. Her eyes were fiery as if my words only fueled her, and saying no was her challenge as much as getting her to say yes was mine."
So Grant pursues her relentlessly, even uncharacteristically stalking Aribel at school, until she's had enough, throws caution to the wind, and finally listens to her traitorous body affected by Grant since their first meeting in the bar.
"He grabbed my around the waist, yanked me outside, and dropped his mouth down onto mine hungrily. I lost myself in his lips. His hands ducked under my sweater, and his fingers dug into my soft flesh beneath. And without even realizing it, I was grasping his T-shirt for dear life and feeling the cold medal of his dog tags in my hands. Holy shit! I'd never been kissed like this before. My whole body was on fire, and his lips were just fueling the flame."
Aribel wants Grant but is conflicted because she can't get past how different he is and not the clean-cut CEO type she envisioned. She needs to ditch her plan, and go with her heart and what feels right.
'I'd known that I was falling for him. But I'd thought one date would prove everything I'd thought he was--an arrogant, conceited, manipulative, asshole, playboy rocker who cared for nothing but which bed he was landing in. While that image hasn't wavered because he was absolutely one of those things, I'd managed to find that there was more to Grant McDermott...and that had been my downfall."
Grant has never cared...until now...and both he and Aribel are scared of what's happening between them.
"I've never dated. I've just never cared. Never, babe," I said, running a hand back through my hair. "But I [fricking] care about you."
Self doubt, a pesky past, and more threaten Grant and Aribel's newly found happiness bubble. They need a life raft to keep their relationship afloat.
5 soul-wrenching and sexy stars!!!
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